Lawyer assaulted, arm broken
Amritsar, January 3
A few politically connected unscrupulous elements attacked a local lawyer at his private property in Rishi Nagar area leaving him badly injured with one arm broken.

The injured advocate, Kuljit Singh, at the courts complex in Amritsar on
Tuesday. Photo: Vishal Kumar

Manhandling of lawyer: Case registered, 2 held
Amritsar, January 3
The Amritsar Bar Association called off its strike after the police registered a complaint against the persons who had manhandled a local lawyer in his chamber in the local courts and arrested two of the accused.

Poll duty: Staff crunch at ADA office deepensAmritsar, January 3
Staff crunch at the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA)-cum-Amritsar Development Authority (ADA) office has deepened as its employees have been pressed into election duty.

Trees cut after permission, says college principal
Amritsar, January 3
In a reaction to the alleged illegal cutting of two century-old trees, a pipal and a
bargad, the Government Medical College authorities stated that they had procured permission from the Forest Department before the move.

Painting exhibition on
Amritsar
: The Indian Academy of Fine Arts has started an exhibition of paintings by artists from Patiala at Art Gallery. Named 'Emotions of Life', the exhibition has 35 creations capturing various nature and human moods.

DPS confers awards on students
Amritsar, January 3
Delhi Public School awarded its students today.
Rajdeep Singh bagged the high achiever award, Shubham Bhargav was adjudged 'All-rounder', while Neelambar Mehra awarded with the Lt. Amarjit Singh Virk Trophy.

Battle Honour Day celebratedAmritsar, Janaury 3The Bogra Warriors celebrated its 40th Battle Honour Day ‘Bogra’ at Khasa in Amritsar. A large number of war veterans, who participated in the Battle of Bogra in 1971, Bangladesh, graced the occasion.

Amritsar, January 3
A few politically connected unscrupulous elements attacked a local lawyer at his private property in Rishi Nagar area leaving him badly injured with one arm broken.

The lawyer had objected to laying of public sewerage pipes in his property.The Amritsar Bar Association had to knock at the doors of District and Sessions Judge HS Madaan for seeking direction to the police for getting the medical examination of the injured lawyer conducted.

Instead of going to a hospital for getting medical help, the lawyer was seen at the courts complex with his injured arm to seek the District and session judge’s help.

Later taking cognisance of the incident, the Amritsar Bar Association announced to take up the matter with the Chief Election Commissioner alleging that the attack was “politically motivated to support illegal occupation on the lawyer’s property for laying sewerage pipes”. Association president Pradeep Kumar Saini said, “Even if it was done for laying sewerage pipes, it would be termed as an attempt for illegal and forceful occupation on someone’s private property.”

The injured advocate, Kuljit Singh, said, “Earlier, the local court had passed a stay order on the move to lay sewerage pipes at the property. I had informed the local police authorities about the court’s directions.” He added that though a police party, led by an Assistant Sub-Inspector, was present at the time of the incident, they did nothing to avert the clash.

In a press conference after the incident, Saini said, “The mob was incited by two persons Sunil Dhawan and Satish Chopra. The both incited the mob saying that the local BJP MLA on phone has directed them to get the land cleared. As the matter is politically motivated we would file a complaint with the election commission.”

Meanwhile, few of the other lawyers, including Saini, who rushed to the spot, said the mob were armed with sharp-edged weapons, batons and pistols. Kuljit Singh said the mob fired in the air to create panic. Meanwhile, no case has been registered till the time of filing of this report.

Amritsar, January 3
The Amritsar Bar Association called off its strike after the police registered a complaint against the persons who had manhandled a local lawyer in his chamber in the local courts and arrested two of the accused.

Advocate Sukhwinder Singh had yesterday stated that Sukhdev Singh, his father Sawinder Singh and Jagtar Singh, all resident of Mehlawala village, had attacked him in his chamber along with 15-20 unidentified persons.

The Bar had yesterday announced to observe a “no work day” today demanding police action against the assailants. ASI Tarsem Singh, in charge of the Courts Complex police station said two of the accused, Sawinder Singh and Jagtar Singh, were arrested.

He added that a case under Sections 307, 506, 323, 148, 149 of the IPC and Sections 25, 54, 59 of the Arms Act was registered at the Civil Lines Police station.

Association president Pradeep Kumar Saini said the advocates had ended their strike following the registration of a case.

Amritsar, January 3
Staff crunch at the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA)-cum-Amritsar Development Authority (ADA) office has deepened as its employees have been pressed into election duty.

The ADA has already been grappling with staff shortage, but now with more of its staff being used in poll duties its functioning has come to a standstill.

Notably, even four years after the formation of the ADA, it has neither got a separate office, nor dedicated staff to implement the ambitious master plan for a planned growth of the holy city.

Since the introduction of the Amritsar Master Plan in March, the ADA has passed only four private colonies to be established as per the established norms in the district. These colonies would come up on the Fatehgarh Churriyan road, Majitha road and GT Road.

The ADA is headed by a Chief Administrator. Since the constitution of the ADA following government notification on July 16, 2007, it has not got a regular Chief Administrator. Officials from other departments have been given additional charge. At present, Chief Administrator of the Jalandhar Development Authority (JDA) Praveen Kumar has been given the additional charge of the ADA.

Interestingly, SDM, Patti, Gurwinderjiit Singh Grewal has been given the additional charge of the next vital official, Additional Chief Administrator. A key official, the post has got land acquisition and regulatory powers under the Punjab Apartment and Properties Regulatory Act. Next rank in hierarchy is Estate Officer and is also lying vacant. Of the two available Executive Engineers, one has been assigned poll duty.

Against the sanctioned strength of eight SDOs, the PUDA is functioning with four. Of these, three SDOs have been called for election duty.

Another vital post of Senior Account Officer was being handled by the Senior Account Officer of the JDA.

The importance given to the ADA initially, which could be gauged from the fact that its first meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in Chandigarh in November, 2008, seemed to have vanished.

The ADA was formed to implement the master plan so that to give thrust to a planned city with all components working in tandem to make the city a vibrant commercial and religious tourist hub.

Chief Administrator of the Jalandhar Development Authority Praveen Kumar said there was a shortage of some staff and the request had been forwarded to the government to remove it immediately.

He said the PUDA officials could look after the ADA as their jurisdiction was the same.

He said a separate office and officials for the ADA would be needed if the work increases in the future.

Amritsar, January 3
In a reaction to the alleged illegal cutting of two century-old trees, a pipal and a bargad, the Government Medical College authorities stated that they had procured permission from the Forest Department before the move.

Talking to The Tribune, Government Medical College Principal Dr SS Shergill said, “It was extremely necessary for us to cut the trees as one of them was just above one of the laboratories. Being very old and large it was a threat to the building. The other one inside the NRI Girls’ Hostel was required to be cut for constructing a vehicle parking. We had no alternate space.”

Dr Shergill said the trees were sold through an open auction and there was no chance of anybody hiding the facts. “We, too, are very much cautious of the environmental degradation, but sometimes there is a great necessity for this.”

Meanwhile, members of various NGOs today met the Principal to clear their stand on the cutting of the trees. Gurbhej Singh and Deepak Babar, both from Mission Aagaaj, an NGO, said they had met Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal and demanded an inquiry.

As many as 10 principals and over 300 teachers of Sri Guru Harkrishan Public Schools, being run by the society, took part in the workshop.

Abhishek Vatsyayan of the Next Education said the solution has advanced interactive tools and other virtual activities to help teachers explain and illustrate the concepts. Besides, it can be operated with remote control and engrossing voice-overs.

The director of the society, Dr Dharamvir Singh, said that the CKD was mulling over to adopt the new techniques to provide exposure of global level to its students.

He said the Chief Khalsa Diwan was receptive to adopt innovative and latest teachings aids for students. He said the new aid would be of great use to churn out students of global level.

Amritsar: The Indian Academy of Fine Arts has started an exhibition of paintings by artists from Patiala at Art Gallery. Named 'Emotions of Life', the exhibition has 35 creations capturing various nature and human moods.

Amritsar, January 3
Delhi Public School awarded its students today.
Rajdeep Singh bagged the high achiever award, Shubham Bhargav was adjudged 'All-rounder', while Neelambar Mehra awarded with the Lt. Amarjit Singh Virk Trophy.

As many as 71 students of the school were felicitated for their academic and other co-curricular excellence.

School principal Sangeeta Singh said in the foreign language category Japlin Chawla was adjudged the winner, while Shahbaz Warraich bagged the 'Library User Award'.

Four students won gold medals. As many as 23 students bagged the Chairman Cup Award and 12 students got 'Proficiency Award'. Muskaan Puri and Saksham Mahajan were honored with 'Wiz Kid Award'.

Amritsar, Jnaury 3
The Bogra Warriors celebrated its 40th Battle Honour Day ‘Bogra’ at Khasa in Amritsar. A large number of war veterans, who participated in the Battle of Bogra in 1971, Bangladesh, graced the occasion.

Lt Gen Sanjit Langer, Colonel of the Regiment, was the chief guest on the occasion. The event was also attended by serving and retired officers, JCOs and other ranks. The Bogra Regiment paid tribute to its fallen sons who gave the supreme sacrifice in the honour of their country. The general officer addressed the troops and also interacted with all personnel of the regiment and appreciated their efforts. The war veterans interacted with the serving soldiers and narrated their experiences of the battle.

Within three years of its raising, the regiment created a history. On December 16, 1971, as many as 46 Pakistani tanks stood silent as their masters surrendered to the tank men of Bogra Warriors in Bogra Garrison in the erstwhile East Pakistan.